Indian Valley Brewing Readies for its Debut

It’s heard all too often that downtown Novato needs more destinations, more attractions, more life, and specifically more nightlife. Indian Valley Brewing Company plans to shush that chatter by opening the doors of its new taproom in the next few days.

Brothers Joe and Matt Tachis are putting the finishing touches on their new home at 1016 Railroad Avenue, a few steps from where Grant Avenue ends at the train tracks. Although the exact opening date hasn’t been set, it’s looking like the craft brews will start flowing from the 11 taps the week of February 4.

“We’ve been powering through with the preparations, and we’re at a really exciting point now,” Matt Tachis said on January 22 as he climbed down from a ladder with a nail gun in his hand. “We look around in here and can picture it full of people enjoying themselves.”

“I can’t wait to stroll in and see a bunch of friends,” Joe Tachis said. “I’ll just walk around to the other side of the bar and say, ‘What’ll you have?’ We’ve been dreaming about this.”

Indian Valley Brewing isn’t that new. It opened in 2016 in a Bel Marin Keys industrial park and operated strictly as a microbrewery that kegged its beer. The small-batch ales and lagers could be found locally at Finnegan’s Marin, Extreme Pizza, Wildfox, Hilltop 1892, Bicycle Brustop, Beercraft, Indian Valley Golf Course, Toast, Speakeasy, and a few other locations outside Novato. Shawn Cochran, co-owner of J&M Brewing Supplies in southern Novato, is the head brewer at Indian Valley.

As the business gained word-of-mouth momentum, the Tachis brothers looked for a spot for a taproom. They sniffed around for a while before settling on the Railroad Avenue address, which used to be a dance studio and the office of the Novato Theater nonprofit organization. It’s about halfway between Grant Avenue and Olive Avenue and about 800 feet from the future downtown SMART station. It’s an easy breezy walk to other Grant Avenue restaurants and businesses.

Since they entered into a lease in June 2018, they’ve been modifying the building. Joe and Matt called on five of their six brothers – Paul, Tom, Jack, Matt, and Don – who have contracting experience just like them. Outside talent was wrangled for heating, ventilating and air conditioning as well as some painting.

“It’s great to have our brothers doing this with us because they were with us at the start of our first brews when we were just making beer for family gatherings,” Matt said.

The taproom entrance will be at the rear of the building instead of facing Railroad Avenue. Parking will be along Railroad and in a small lot. As patrons head toward the entrance, they will see the outdoor picnic tables first, then the rustic old-wood interior with a few big community tables.

What about the beer? If all goes according to plan for opening night, visitors will be able to order the following brews:

· 50 Trips to Pini Lager

· Pacheco Pils

· Farmhouse Ale

· Hazy Blonde Ale

· Hopalong IPA

· Off the Rails Double IPA

· Grumpa’s Scotch Ale

· Classic Dark Lager

· Santa Lucia Coffee Porter

· Spooky Trees Imperial Stout

Food won’t be made on the premises, but the Tachises are bringing in food trucks regularly. The family-friendly environment will include some games for the kids and a couple of big-screen TVs. Visitors will get a full view of the brewing equipment, a stainless steel two-barrel system (62 gallons per batch) with room to expand to a 10-barrel system.

The timing of the opening just happens to coincide with SF Beer Week, which features dozens of special events throughout the Bay Area to celebrate craft beer February 1-10.

“It’s not something we choreographed,” Joe Tachis said. “It’s just working out that way. Maybe we’ll get a few extra out-of-town visitors.”